Effect of alcohol consumption on cardiac electrophysiology

Potentially arrhythmogenic changes of the cardiac electrical properties induced by the alcohol consumption may be based both on the direct action of ethanol and its metabolites, acetaldehyde and acetate, on cardiac ionic channels and carriers, and on the indirect effect mediated namely by the released catecholamines, pH changes or electrolyte imbalance. Abnormalities in the cardiac function and structure may individually contribute as well. Owing to the deficient information and complexity of the concurrent factors, the concrete arrhythmogenic mechanism remains unclear. This review shows a comprehensive view on the current knowledge in the arrhythmias observed in relation to the alcohol consumption and in changes of electrical properties of the cardiac tissue under the effect of ethanol and its metabolites. Possible factors contributing to the genesis of arrhythmias related to the alcohol consumption are briefly discussed.